Champions Hibs to open SWPL season against Aberdeen

On Sunday, August 17, Hibernian, champions of the Scottish Women’s Premier League, will host Aberdeen.

This season’s top flight will now have 10 teams, replacing the 12-team league.

Rangers travel to Montrose, who avoided relegation on the final day of the season, while Glasgow City, who were pipped to the title on the final day of the season and are looking for a new head coach after Jo Potter’s switch to Crystal Palace, are at home to Motherwell.

Heart of Midlothian, who finished fourth last season in the league, is playing Celtic, who won in season 2023-24 but finished fourth overall.

After Brian Graham left after almost five years, Thistle have appointed David Elliott as their head coach.

Accies will still play their home games at New Douglas Park despite Hamilton Academical’s men moving to Cumbernauld after a disagreement with the stadium’s owner.

Kick-off times for all five SWPL1 opener games will be set for August 17 with discussions with television partners, including BBC Scotland and BBC Alba.

The teams will play twice, once at home and once away, in the top six and bottom four of the SWPL after 18 matches.

The 10th-placed team will be relegated to SWPL2, while the ninth-placed team will compete in a one-time play-off final against a second-tier team that has advanced through play-offs.

Due to Hibs and Glasgow’s commitments to the Champions League, their meeting will now be held on October 1.

The first of the season’s Old Firm, Edinburgh, and Lanarkshire meetings will take place on Sunday, September 7th, in an extravaganza of derby extravaganza.

In New Douglas Park, Celtic take on Rangers, Motherwell take on Hamilton, but in East Kilbride, K-Park, and Hearts take on Hibs.